Physical therapy machine

ABSTRACT

This physical therapy machine includes independently driven arm and leg exercisers mounted to a common frame. The arm exerciser includes a pair of exerciser members reciprocatively mounted within sleeves fixedly mounted at opposite ends of an oscillating shaft mounted to the frame. The upper ends of the arm exerciser members are provided with handholds and are moved in an orbital path determined by guide plates having contoured tracks which engage and control the path of the lower ends of these members. The leg exerciser includes a rotating, double crank assembly having journal-mounted foot supports attached. The crank assembly is mounted on a base, which is lengthwise adjustable relative to the common frame.

[ July 22, 1975 3,074,716 1/1963 Mitchel et 128/25 R Primary Examiner-Lawrence W. Trapp [57] ABSTRACT This physical therapy machine includes independently driven arm and leg exercisers mounted to a common frame. The arm exerciser includes a pair of exerciser members reciprocatively mounted within sleeves fixedly mounted at opposite ends of an oscillating shaft mounted to the frame. The upper ends of the arm exerciser members are provided with handholds and are moved in an orbital path determined by guide plates having contoured tracks which engage and control the path of the lower ends of these members. The leg exerciser includes a rotating, double crank assembly having journal-mounted foot supports attached. The crank assembly is mounted on a base, which is lengthwise adjustable relative to the common frame.

Inventors: Lavern N. Mahlandt, 410 S.

Hickory, Centralia, 111. 62801; John R. Smith, 900 Meadow Ln., Salem, 111. 62881; Floyd R. Elliott, 124 S. Beech; Larry D. Greene, Rt. 5, both of Centralia, 111. 62801 Apr. 17, 1974 App]. No.: 461,617

US. 128/25 R Int. A6lh 1/02 Field of Search............. 128/25 R, 25 B, 33, 44

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS United States Patent Mahlandt et al.

1 1 PHYSICAL THERAPY MACHINE [22] Filed:

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 128/25 R 128/25 R 128/25 R e w b r. a M

Hawley 2,130,922 2 145 940 2,494,746 1/1950 Colston SHEET A e H 7 P,

PATENTED JUL 2 2 ms PHYSICAL THERAPY MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to physical therapy machines and particularly to a machine having an oscillating arm exerciser.

Exercising devices have been used for many years to assist hospital patients to regain the use of their limbs. Such devices find particular use with patients, recovering from strokes and similar serious illnesses, who have become partially paralyzed.

Generally speaking, the arm and leg exercising portions of such devices are synchronized and both portions are provided by rotating crank assemblies. Devices are known which include other features but these additional features provide modifications of the conventional crank mechanism and do not affect the general principle involved. For example, one known device provides an open frame which accommodates a conventional hospital bed and provides means of adjusting the reach and elevation of the crank assemblies. Another modification is a device which provides an exercising table having a plurality of side mounted discs with peripherally attached limb clamping means, the discs providing effective crank action.

Neither of the above rotating exercise devices nor any other known prior device provides a physical therapy machine incorporating an oscillating mechanism having the versatility of the present device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This physical therapy machine provides an oscillating arm exerciser and a rotating leg exerciser. The exercisers can be used independently, or simultaneously; at variable speeds, or in synchronization. The arm exerciser is provided by oscillating members rather than rotating members and these members include handholds capable of describing a non-circular path. The path is predetermined by contoured tracks disposed on replaceable guide plates which may be changed to suit the requirements of particular patients.

The leg exerciser is provided by a rotating crank assembly which is adjustably spaced from the arm exerciser to accommodate the size of the patient without discomfort.

The machine is mobile, compact and relatively inexpensive to build as well as being simple to operate.

It is an object of this invention to provide a physical therapy machine which includes a frame having a patient support platform extending between the frame sides, and having selectively spaced arm and leg exercisers mounted thereto.

Another object is to provide arm exerciser oscillating members having upper ends describing a path above the support platform the path being predetermined by guide means.

An important object is to provide drive means for the arm exerciser oscillating members which include an oscillating shaft operatively connected to said members.

Yet another object is to provide guide means, which include a pair of sleeves attached to opposed ends of the oscillating shaft, each sleeve receiving an oscillating member in reciprocating, sliding relation, said guide means also including opposed guide plates mounted to the frame sides, each plate having a track thereon engageable by the lower end of the associated oscillating member to control the path of the upper end thereof.

Another object is to provide guide plates having contoured slots defining the tracks, said slots engaging the lower end of the oscillating members.

Still another object is to provide oscillating sleeves having a substantially rectangular cross section and reciprocating, oscillating members having a similar configuration. which are coaxially mounted within the sleeves in engageable relation with roller assemblies provided at each end of each sleeve.

Yet another object is to provide an arm exerciser drive means which includes a rotatable shaft disposed in side-by-side relation with the oscillating shaft and to provide each shaft with a radial arm, said radial arms being interconnected by a link member, pivotally connected between said radial arms, whereby rotation of the rotatable shaft causes oscillation of said oscillating shaft.

It is another object to provide a pivot connection on each radial arm by which the link member interconnects said arms, the oscillating radial arm pivot connection having an arcuate radius of movement greater than that of the rotatable arm pivot connection.

It is an object to provide a leg exerciser which includes a rotating crank shaft mounted to the frame and driven by a drive means independent of the arm exerciser drive means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the physical therapy machine, partly cut away to reveal the leg exerciser;

FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof partly cut away to reveal the arm exerciser drive assembly;

FIG. 3 is an end view, partly cut away to reveal the DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings and first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it will be understood that the physical therapy machine includes a frame, generally indicated by numeral 10, which provides a mounting for an arm exerciser 11 and a leg exerciser l2 and constitutes a support means. In the preferred embodiment the arm and leg exercisers I1 and 12 are provided with independent drive assemblies so that they can be operated separately, or in combination; in synchronization, or at different speeds.

The frame 10 includes opposed sides 13 and 14, ends 15 and 16 and a patient support platform 17, which extends between and is supported by the sides 13 and 14. The individual drive assemblies, indicated by numerals l8 and I9 and associated with the arm exerciser II and the leg exerciser 12 respectively, are mounted on a drive assembly platform generally indicated by numeral 20. The frame 10, as a whole, is supported by four ground wheels 28 to render it mobile.

Referring now more specifically to the structural arrangement of parts of the arm exerciser 11 and the leg exerciser 12 it will be understood that each of said exercisers is carried by the drive assembly platform 20, which includes a pair of longitudinal members 21 supported by cross member 29 forming part of the frame ends 15 and 16 and by intermediate cross members 22 extending between the frame sides 13 and 14.

As shown in FIG. 4 the arm exerciser drive assembly 18 is supported by a base plate 23 which includes depending side members 24 attacher to drive platform longitudinal members 21 as by fasteners 25. The drive assembly 18 includes a motor 26, which is connected to drive relation to a transmission 27 mounted to the base plate 23. The transmission 27 provides a rotatable drive shaft 30 having a flange 31 at the remote end. A radial arm 32 is attached to the flange 31 as by fasteners 33 and the arm 32 is provided with a pivot connection 34 at its outer end which describes a circular path generally indicated by numeral 35. An oscillating shaft 36, disposed in spaced side-by-side relation to said rotatable drive shaft 30, and having an axis of rotation extending transversely of the frame sides 13 and 14 is mounted in journal relation between spaced vertical posts 37, which form part of the frame sides 13 and 14, each post being provided with a journal bearing 38. The oscillating shaft 36 is provided with a radial arm 40 which is fixedly attached to the oscillating shaft 36 as by welding and is provided with a pivot connection 41 at its outer end which describes an arcuate path indicated by numeral 42. Oscillating motion is induced into the arm 40 by means of a link member 39, which extends between and connects the rotating radial arm 32 to the oscillating radial arm 40. The length of the arcuate path 42 is predetermined by the relationship between the lengths of the radial arms 32 and 40 and the arcuate path 42 has a radius greater than the radius of the circular path 35.

Importantly, the oscillating shaft 36 projects outwardly of the frame sides 13 and 14 and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, said shaft is provided at each end with a fixedly attached transverse sleeve generally indicated by numeral 43. The sleeves 43, which oscillate with the shaft 36, each receive an elongate arm exerciser member 44 in reciprocating sliding relation. In effect, the drive assembly 18, the oscillating shaft 36 and sleeves 43 provide a drive and mounting means operatively connecting the elongate members 44 to the frame 10. The drive and mounting means also includes a pair of guide plates 45 mounted to oppositely disposed frame sides 13 and 14 which provide a guide means by which movement of the exerciser member 44 is controlled so that the upper end 46 describes a predetermined path indicated by numeral 47. The specific path ofthe upper end 46 is controlled by the movement of the lower end 48 relative to a guide track which, in the preferred embodiment is provided by guide plate slots 50. Each slot 50 receives therein, in engaging relation, a transversely projecting pin 49 disposed at lower end 48 of each ex erciser member 44.

The structural relationship between the sleeves 43 and elongate arm exerciser members 44 is best understood by reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As there shown, each sleeve 43 is provided by a substantially square tube having two pairs of opposed sides 51 and 52 respectively. The associated elongate member 44 is similarly configurated and includes two pairs of opposed sides 53 and 54 respectively. Each sleeve 43 is provided with two roller assemblies 55 and 56 at each end. Roller assemblies 55 each include a pair of rollers 60 mounted to a strap 61 by means of stub axles 62, said straps 61 being attached, as by welding, to sleeve sides 52. Cutouts 63 are provided in adjacent sleeve sides 51 to receive the rollers 60 in projecting relation therethrough, said rollers 60 being spaced from each other to engage associated sides 53 of the elongate member 44. Roller assemblies 46 likewise include opposed rollers, indicated by numeral 64, mounted to straps 65 by stub axles 66, said straps 65 being attached to sleeve sides 51. Adjacent sleeve sides 52 are provided with cutouts 67 to receive rollers 64 in projecting relation therethrough, said rollers 64 being spaced to engage associated sides 54 of the elongate member 44. This arrangement of roller assemblies 55 and 56 provides a means whereby the elongate exercisermembers 44 can move relatively freely in reciprocating sliding relation within associated sleeves 43 without substantial side movement. As clearly shown in FIG. 5, each sleeve 43 includes a collar 70, attached thereto as by welding, which provides a means for connection of said sleeve to the oscillating shaft 36. In the preferred embodiment the connection is achieved as by a spline connection generally indicated by numeral 71.

The structure of the opposed guide plates 45 is best understood by reference to FIG. 1. As there shown, each guide plate 45 is attached to the frame side 13 and 14 as by fasteners 72. The slot 50 receives the projecting pin 49 at the lower end 48 of the elongate member 44 and in consequence the path of each lower end 48 is controlled by the contour of the associated slot 50. Because of the sliding of said elongate member 44 within the sleeve 43, the contour of the slot 50, in cooperation with oscillation of the sleeve 43 and the length of member 44, determines the path taken by the upper end 46 of said elongate member. As shown particularly in FIG. 8, the upper end 46 of each of said members 44 includes a glove 73 mounted to a handle 74. This arrangement facilitates the holding of said upper end 46 by a patient, and ensures proper exercising of the patients arms.

Turning now to the leg exerciser l2 and with particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, it will be understood that the leg exerciser drive assembly 19 is supported by a base plate 75 which includes depending side members 76 having apertures 77. Apertures 77 are selectively alignable with corresponding apertures 78 provided in the drive platform longitudinal members 21 and said 'base plate 75 is attached to said longitudinal members 21 by fasteners 79. The drive assembly 19 includes a motor 80 connected in drive relation to a transmission 81 mounted to the base plate 75. This arrangement permits the leg exerciser 12, as a whole, to be moved longitudinally relative to the frame 10 to accommodate a particular patient. The transmission 81 provides a drive shaft 82 and a plurality of vertical posts 83, three in number in the preferred embodiment, are mounted to the base plate 76 to support a double crankshaft assembly generally indicated by numeral 84, which is journal mounted to said posts 83 for rotation by said drive shaft 82. The double crankshaft assembly 84 includes bight portions 85 disposed at to each other to orbit the center of rotation of said crankshaft assembly. In order to impart motion to the crankshaft assembly 84"the drive shaft 82 includes a pulley 86 at its outer end, disposed in the same plane as a corresponding pulley 87 mounted at one end of the crankshaft assembly 84, and

said cranked assembly 84 is rotated by means of a belt 88 extending between said pulleys. As shown particularly in FIG. 7 the foot of the patient is received within a shoe-like support 90 which is journal mounted to each of the bight portions 85.

As is clearly shown in FIGS. 1-3 the patient platform support 17 is provided with a cutout 96 which permits the patients legs to be received therethrough and orbited with the shoe supports 90 about the center of rotation of the crankshaft assembly 84.

Power is supplied to the motor and transmission assembly of the arm and leg exercisers 11 and 12 through a switch box indicated by numeral 91 which is conveniently situated on the frame side 13. The speed of each of the drive assemblies 18 and 19 is independently controlled by separate switches 92 and 93 which are connected to their individual motors 26 and 80 by means of cables 94 and 95 respectively as clearly indicated in FIGS. 1 through 3.

It is thought that the functional advantages of this physical therapy machine have become fully apparent from the foregoing description of parts, but for completeness of disclosure the operation of the machine will be briefly summarized.

As shown in FIG. 1 the normal position of the patient is substantially the prone position with the feet being projectible through the cutout 96 of the platform 17 so that they can be fitted into the shoe supports 90. The hands of the patient are positioned to grip the handle 74 of the associated elongate member 44, assisted by the glove 73 if necessary.

If it is desired to utilize the leg exerciser 12 then the switch 93 is closed causing the crankshaft assembly 84 to rotate at a desired speed. It will be understood that the base plate 75 of the leg exerciser 12 is first adjusted relative to the longitudinal members 21 of the drive platform to suit the size and position of the patient.

If it is desired to utilize the arm exerciser 11 a pair of guide plates 45 is chosen having slots 50 which correspond to the predetermined path 47 through which it is desired that the patients arms shall move. When the actuating switch 94 is closed, the transmission drive shaft 30 (FIG. 4) rotates causing the oscillating shaft 36 to oscillate together with the sleeve 43 attached to each end of said shaft. Because the elongate arm exerciser members 44 are slidably mounted within the sleeves 43, the upper end 46 of each member 44 follows a path predetermined by the contour of the slots 50 in the guide plates 45. Although the elongate members 44, as shown in FIG. 1, describe a horizontal-to-horizontal orbit relative to the support platform 17, this can be adjusted if necessary by adjusting, for example, the relative lengths of the radial arms 32 and or by varying the length of the link member 39 so that movement of the radial arm 40 is asymmetrical relative to the vertical post 37.

It will be clearly understood that the arm exerciser 11 can be operated quite independently of the leg exerciser 12. In addition, the speed of each assembly can be independently controlled and the cyclical movement need not be synchronized unless this is desired.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a physical therapy machine:

a. a support means,

b. an elongate member including an outer end,

c. drive and mounting means operatively connecting said elongate member to the support means including oscillating means operatively connected to the elongate member in sliding relation for oscillating movement of the outer end of said elongate member and translational movement of said outer end 5 of said elongate member, said drive and mounting means including guide means operatively connected to the elongate member to predetermine the path of said outer end thereof.

2. In a physical therapy machine:

a. a support means,

b. an elongate member including an outer end,

0. drive and mounting means operatively connecting said elongate member to the support means for oscillating movement of the outer end of said elongate member and translational movement of said outer end of said elongate member,

d. the drive and mounting means including:

1. an oscillating shaft having a transversely disposed sleeve attached at one end thereof for oscillation therewith, said sleeve receiving the elongate member in sliding relation,

2. means oscillating said shaft, and

3. guide means operatively connected to the elongate member to predetermine the path of the outer end thereof.

3. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2,

in which:

e. the elongate member provides an arm exerciser,

and

f. a leg exerciser is mounted to the support means said leg exerciser including:

l. a foot-engageable, rotating crankshaft means mounted to the support means in spaced side-byside relation from the oscillating shaft, and

2. drive means rotating the crankshaft means at a selected speed independently of the oscillating shaft.

4. In a physical therapy machine:

a. a support means,

b. an elongate member including an outer end,

c. drive and mounting means operatively connecting said elongate member to the support means for oscillating movement of the outer end of said elongate member and translational movement of ,said outer end of said elongate member,

d. said drive and mounting means including guide means operatively connected to the elongate member to predetermine the path of the outer end thereof, the guide means including a contoured track engaged by the elongate member at a point spaced from the outer end thereof.

5. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 4,

in which:

e. the guide means includes a plate having a contoured slot therein providing the track, and

f. the elongate member includes a transverse element receivable within and guided by said contoured slot. I

60 6. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2,

in which:

e. the drive and mounting means includes:

1. a rotatable shaft having an axis of rotation disposed in spaced side-by-side relation from the axis of rotation of the oscillating shaft and includ ing a radial arm having a pivot connection spaced from the axis of rotation of said rotatable shaft to describe a circular path,

2. the oscillating shaft includes a radial arm having a pivot connection spaced from the axis of rotation of said oscillating shaft to describe an arcuate path having a radius greater than the radius of said circular path, and

3. a link member connected between said pivot connections.

7. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2,

in which:

e. the sleeve is substantially rectangular in configuration and includes transversely spaced rollers at each end, and

f. the elongate member includes oppositely disposed elongate bearing surfaces engageable by said rollers to facilitate sliding of said member within said sleeve.

8. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2,

in which:

e. the sleeve is substantially rectangular in configuration and includes oppositely disposed cutouts in each sidewall at each end and two pairs of transversely spaced rollers at each end, each sidewall cutout receiving an associated roller, and

f. the elongate member is substantially rectangular in configuration and includes two pairs of oppositely disposed elongate surfaces engageable by associated sleeve rollers to facilitate sliding of said member within said sleeve.

9. In a physical therapy machine:

a. a frame including opposed sides and a generally horizontal support platform extending between said sides,

b. shaft means operatively mounted to the frame and having an axis of rotation transversely disposed of said frame sides,

0. a pair of radially disposed sleeves each sleeve being fixedly attached to one end of the shaft means,

d. means oscillating said shaft means and said sleeves,

e. a pair of elongate members each received within an associated sleeve in sliding relation and each including an outer end, and engagement means spaced from said outer end, and I f. guide means including a pair of spaced contoured tracks, each engageable by the engagement means of an associated elongate member to guide the outer end thereof in a predetermined non-circular path above the support platform.

10. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 9, in which:

g. the oscillating means includes:

1. a drive shaft having a radial arm attached thereto including a pivot connection describing a circular path,

2. a radial arm attached to the oscillating shaft means and including a pivot connection describing an arcuate path having a radius greater than the radius of the pivot connection of the drive shaft radial arm, and

3. a link member extending between the connection points of said radial arms.

11. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 9, in which:

g. each engagement means includes an engagement element projecting transversely from an associated elongate member, and

h. the guide means includes a pair of guide plates attached to opposite frame sides, each plate having a slot providing a contoured track and each slot receiving an associated engagement element in guided relation.

12. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 9, in which:

g. the elongate members provide an arm exerciser having handhold means at the outer end, and

h. a leg exerciser is mounted to the frame, said leg exerciser including;

1. a foot engageable, rotating double crankshaft means operatively mounted to the frame and having an axis of rotation disposed in selectively spaced side-by-side relation from the axis of rotation of said oscillating shaft means, and

2. drive means rotating said crankshaft means at a selected speed independently of the oscillating shaft means. 

1. In a physical therapy machine: a. a support means, b. an elongate member including an outer end, c. drive and mounting means operatively connecting said elongate member to the support means including oscillating means operatively connected to the elongate member in sliding relation for oscillating movement of the outer end of said elongate member and translational movement of said outer end of said elongate member, said drive and mounting means including guide means operatively connected to the elongate member to predetermine the path of said outer end thereof.
 2. means oscillating said shaft, and
 2. In a physical therapy machine: a. a support means, b. an elongate member including an outer end, c. drive and mounting means operatively connecting said elongate member to the support means for oscillating movement of the outer end of said elongate member and translational movement of said outer end of said elongate member, d. the drive and mounting means including:
 2. drive means rotating said crankshaft means at a selected speed independently of the oscillating shaft means.
 2. a radial arm attached to the oscillating shaft means and including a pivot connection describing an arcuate path having a radius greater than the radius of the pivot connection of the drive shaft radial arm, and
 2. the oscillating shaft includes a radial arm having a pivot connection spaced from the axis of rotation of said oscillating shaft to describe an arcuate path having a radius greater than the radius of said circular path, and
 2. drive means rotating the crankshaft means at a selected speed independently of the oscillating shaft.
 3. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2, in which: e. the elongate member provides an arm exerciser, and f. a leg exerciser is mounted to the support means said leg exerciser including:
 3. guide means operatively connected to the elongate member to predetermine the path of the outer end thereof.
 3. a link member connected between said pivot connections.
 3. a link member extending between the connection points of said radial arms.
 4. In a physical therapy machine: a. a support means, b. an elongate member including an outer end, c. drive and mounting means operatively connecting said elongate member to the suppOrt means for oscillating movement of the outer end of said elongate member and translational movement of said outer end of said elongate member, d. said drive and mounting means including guide means operatively connected to the elongate member to predetermine the path of the outer end thereof, the guide means including a contoured track engaged by the elongate member at a point spaced from the outer end thereof.
 5. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 4, in which: e. the guide means includes a plate having a contoured slot therein providing the track, and f. the elongate member includes a transverse element receivable within and guided by said contoured slot.
 6. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2, in which: e. the drive and mounting means includes:
 7. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2, in which: e. the sleeve is substantially rectangular in configuration and includes transversely spaced rollers at each end, and f. the elongate member includes oppositely disposed elongate bearing surfaces engageable by said rollers to facilitate sliding of said member within said sleeve.
 8. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 2, in which: e. the sleeve is substantially rectangular in configuration and includes oppositely disposed cutouts in each sidewall at each end and two pairs of transversely spaced rollers at each end, each sidewall cutout receiving an associated roller, and f. the elongate member is substantially rectangular in configuration and includes two pairs of oppositely disposed elongate surfaces engageable by associated sleeve rollers to facilitate sliding of said member within said sleeve.
 9. In a physical therapy machine: a. a frame including opposed sides and a generally horizontal support platform extending between said sides, b. shaft means operatively mounted to the frame and having an axis of rotation transversely disposed of said frame sides, c. a pair of radially disposed sleeves each sleeve being fixedly attached to one end of the shaft means, d. means oscillating said shaft means and said sleeves, e. a pair of elongate members each received within an associated sleeve in sliding relation and each including an outer end, and engagement means spaced from said outer end, and f. guide means including a pair of spaced contoured tracks, each engageable by the engagement means of an associated elongate member to guide the outer end thereof in a predetermined non-circular path above the support platform.
 10. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 9, in which: g. the oscillating means includes:
 11. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 9, in which: g. each engagement means includes an engagement element projecting transversely from an associated elongate member, and h. the guide means includes a pair of guide plates attached to opposite frame sides, each plate having a slot providing a contoured track and each slot receiving an associated engagement element in guided relation.
 12. A physical therapy machine as defined in claim 9, in which: g. the elongate members provide an arm exerciser having handhold means at the outer end, and h. a leg exerciser is mounted to the frame, said leg exerciser including; 